Display case and shelf therefor



June 16, 1942. P. M. RESSINGER DISPLAY cAsE AND SHELF THEREFOR Filed Aug. l5, 1940 Patented June 16, 1942 UNITED STATES vPATENT OFFICE 2,286,830 DISPLAY CASE AND SHELF THEREFOR Paul M. Ressinger, Chicago, Ill. Application August 15, 1940, Serial No.v 352,691

(ol.l 31a-127) Claims.

My invention relates to an'improvement in display cases and has for one purpose the provision of a display case adapted for the dispensing and sale of small articles, for example fountain pens.

Another purpose is the provision of an improved storage and display cabinet in which a group of articles, for example fountain pens, may be conveniently displayed within a sightly cabinet.

Another purpose is the provision of ready means for removing the displayed articles.

Another purpose is the provision of means for moving a tray into ready removing position in response to the opening of a rear closure in the cabinet.

Another purpose is the provision of improved means for gravitally holding a display tray in position.

Other purposes will appear from time to time the course of the specication and claims.

I illustrate my invention more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a display cabinet embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a similar partial section with the parts in a different position;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 5 is a section similar to the lower portion of Fig. 2, illustrating a modification.

Like parts are indicated b-y like symbols throughout the specication and drawing.

I illustrate a cabinet, which may be of any suitable material, but which is herein shown as formed of metal. It includes a bottom portion I, a top 2, front display glass 3, and rear frame members 4, in which are mounted an upper door 5 and a lower door 6. Any suitable side panels '1 are also included.

In the form of my invention herein shown I have an upper display tray, generally indicated as 8, and having at each side thereof a downwardly or rearwardly extending lug 9, notched as at I0, to' receive the pins Il, one of which is located on each of said side panels 1. A stop pin I2 also inwardly extends from each of the side panels 1, and the tray 8 is so proportioned that, when it is in the position of Fig. 2, the lower forwardly extending portion overbalances the upper rearwardly extending portion and holds the device gravitally in the position in which it is shown, with its upper end engaging the stops I2. The parts are of such size that when is hinged, as at the door 5 is opened, for examplek by rotating the knob or handle or key I3, the tray 8 may readily be removed through the door.

The lower tray` I4 isl preferably in general alignment with the tray 8, at least to' the degree of having its upper edge rather closely adjacent the lower edge of the tray 8. This is desirable but not vital. The tray I4 is supported in the desired position, for example by a linkage connection between the door 6 and the bottom I of the display housing. I illustrate, for example, a link in the form preferably of a flat strip of material, indicated at I5. It is pivoted at its lower forward end, as at I6, to the bottom portion I of the display cabinet. It is hinged as at I1 to a lever arm or strip I8, which in turn I9, to the door 6, which in turn is hinged, as at 20, to the display cabinet.

2| is any suitable stop or extension for limiting the downward movement of the link I1 toward the bottom I of the cabinet, as shown for example in Fig. 3.

If desired, I mayalso provide an upper extension 22 at the end of the arm I5, which serves as a stop or support o'r shelf for the bottom of the tray I4, as shown in Figure 5. In the form of Figure 2 the tray I4 is shown as resting at its lower end on the bottom I of the cabinet.

These cabinets may conveniently be used for example on a table or showcase. The showcase itself will serve as a means for limiting the downward movement of the door face.

I find it desirable, in laterally positioning the tray I4, to have the tray of such length as to t fairly snugly against the inner faces of the side panels 1.

The lower tray I4 may be provided with rearwardly extending lugs 9, similar to the lugs of the tray 8. to make the trays interchangeable.

It will be realized that, whereas I have described and illustrated a practical and operative device, nevertheless many changes may be made in the size, shape, number and disposition of parts without departing from the spirit of my invention. I therefore wish my description and drawing to be taken as in a broad sense illustrative or diagrammatic, rather than as limiting me to my precise showing.

I claim: A

1. In combination with a display cabinet and rear door therefor, a. tray support including a forward link, the forward end of which is supported on the cabinet, a rear link hinged to the door, a flexible connection between the two links, and stop means associated with said links for limiting the downward movement of said links in relation to the cabinet, and a tray movably mounted on said support.

2. In combination with a display cabinet and rear door therefor, a tray support including a forward link, the forward end of which is supported on the cabinet, a rear link hinged to the door, a. flexible connection between the two links, and a tray supporting abutment on said forward link.

3. In combination, a display cabinet having a forward pervious wall, a floor, and a movable rearclosure, a tray support including a forward link hinged to the cabinet floor, and a rear link hinged to the outer end of the forward link and hinged at its opposite end to the cabinet door, an open top display tray removably positioned upon said forward link, means at the forward end of said forward link for holding said tray against gravital forward movement, and supporting means adapted to support said linkage when the rear door is opened, with said tray upwardly and rearwardly inclined.

4. In combination, a display cabinet having a forward pervious wall, a floor, and a movable rear closure, a tray support including a forward link hinged to the cabinet floor, and a rear link hinged to the outer end of the forward link and hinged at its opposite end to the cabinet door, an open top display tray forward link, and means for holding the lower forward end of the tray in predetermined spatial relation with the forward pervious wall, when the cabinet door is closed.

5. In combination, a display cabinet having a forward pervious wall, a floor, and a movable rear closure, a tray support including a forward link hinged to the cabinet floor, and a rear link hinged to the outer end of the forward link and hinged at its opposite end to the cabinet door, an open top display tray removably positioned upon said holding the lower forward end of the tray in predetermined spatial relation with the forward pervious wall, when the cabinet door is closed, and means for maintaining the tray slightly upwardly and rearward- Yly inclined when the rear door is opened.

PAUL M. RESSINGER.

removably positioned upon said, 

